Devens Catering Business With Focus on Movie Industry Buys Former Devens Theater
December 11, 2013
Contacts:
Kelsey Abbruzzese, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2086 & 617-448-9077
Steve Catalano, Dolce Brands, 978-621-8525
MassDevelopment has sold a three-acre Devens site and the former Hodges Theater to Devens business owner Steve Catalano, who plans to raze the building and erect a state-of-the-art facility for his catering company, Dolce Brands. Catalano will also provide premiere rental space on the parcel for additional companies and support for New England Studios, the film and television production facility in Devens.
Dolce Brands will focus on serving the growing Massachusetts film industry and New England Studios has named the company as its preferred caterer. Dolce Brands has catered at movie sets throughout New England, including the HBO miniseries “Olive Kitteridge,” filmed at locations across Massachusetts.
“We’re pleased to work with Steve – a committed member of the Devens business community – on the growth of his catering company,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “New England Studios and the Massachusetts film sector generate ancillary economic activity in industries like food service, and we look forward to working with businesses in the Nashoba Valley and beyond to capture the increasing opportunities offered in Devens.”
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity New England Studios provides for our newest addition to the company profile,” Steve Catalano said. “Our company has already invested in mobile kitchens and a talented group of professionals who specialize in the movie catering business. Keys to the transaction were the close proximity of the Hodges property to the new studio – less than a quarter mile away – and the central location of Devens.”
Catalano has operated the successful Dolce’s Wood Grille on Pepperell’s Main Street since 2011. “We love to provide a unique dining experience for folks across the Nashoba Valley and in the New Hampshire border towns,” Catalano added. “We will bring the same attention to detail and menu preparation to our catering company.” Catalano has committed to sourcing local meats and produce.
Located in north-central Massachusetts and managed by MassDevelopment, Devens is home to a varied mix of businesses, government organizations, and nonprofits employing more than 3,600 people. The 4,400-acre site features fast-track permitting and other incentives for businesses. The former military installation is recognized today as a national model for military base redevelopment. Along with its business tenants, the Devens community also includes more than 2,100 acres of recreation and open space, private residences, schools, and a network of human and social services providers.
